Even on the days that are made up of the ittiest, bittiest time confetti, I try to squeeze in some sustained time for creative tasks.

Most days, it’s not alone time, so that means I’m working alongside my kids — usually at home as they write or draw or build or sculpt (which can be both inspiring and really distracting). It can also mean a family trip over to the public library, so that while the kids are browsing for books, coloring, or playing on the library computers, I can do a little work.

The days when I do have some time to myself, I love to sneak off to a coffee shop. I pack up my materials and go. Just me and my ideas, flowing freely.

A couple of weeks ago, I had an appointment in Hillsborough, NJ and when I saw that I had enough time afterward to stop at a coffee shop, I quickly searched my phone for “a coffee shop near me.” It was late afternoon, so a few of the closest results were already closed, and I really wasn’t in the mood for a chain, so I tried one I had never been to before called It’s a Hidden Cafe.

Thank goodness for the GPS or I would have missed it! The building is quite literally fairly hidden. Once I found it, I parked (though not in the correct or ideal spot, as I would learn). I grabbed a notebook and pencil, a picture book that I wanted to read again for a review, and walked up to the door. Through the windows, I could see several people sitting inside and figured that was a good sign. Initially feeling good about deciding to stop there, I then saw an actual sign, a small one taped to the door, directing me to use the door at the back of the building.

The name of the coffee shop itself and this immediate interactive-detour experience all felt a bit like a puzzle, and I was intrigued. As I made my way around to the back of the building, I could feel the creative energy around me and more and more like this was a good place to stop.

At the proper door I (noted the spaces where I should have parked and) went inside. Many of the eclectic seating options were already filled, more than I been able to see from the front (back?) windows, but there were still some empty chairs and even a couch that was free, so I decided to order and settle in.

No one was behind the counter at first, but then someone came out to take my order. He was friendly, a little quirky, and easy to talk to. I could immediately feel the pride he felt for the shop, and I sensed he was the owner before I asked.

I let him know it was my first time there, and he helped me through my order (a lavender latte). I paid, asked him for the (also hidden) tip jar, and then found the restroom while he prepared my drink.

When I came back out to choose a seat, I noticed that the counter was empty again and I didn’t see my drink on it or anywhere waiting for me. I figured I’d put my things down at a table and come back up to wait for it, but there he was, seated at a large table with some patrons, waiting, casually holding my drink out to me on a tray.

I caught myself smiling and appreciating that this had not been an experience I ever had in a coffee shop before. I brought my drink over to a table by a window with several plants on the sill, took a first sip of the latte (which was very good), and settled in to work.

The creativity kicked in quickly and before I knew it, I had:

• reread the picture book and drafted the review I wanted to write,
• completed a journal entry,
• worked on an outline for a new project,
• and I wrote most of this post.

I wasn’t there for very long, so I was pretty pleased with this productivity!

Packing up to head out, a table with colorful paint bottles on it and a sign advertising a paint and sip caught my eye…if I needed any additional confirmation that this was a good place to sit and do creative work, that was certainly it.

On my way out, the owner took the time to acknowledge me again, and I mentioned that I enjoyed my visit. When I asked for a business card, he invited me to follow the shop on instagram.

I did, and I learned that there are a other creative events held there including a crochet club, book club, art shows and more.

Chances that I will go back to do work there again:
Very high! ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕

PS…I did go back.

Just a week later, I was in the area again. My car knew right where to go this time, and I parked in the back (front?) by the main doors.

I ordered a rose lemonade and sat in the same table I had the time before. This time, I read Earth Medicine by Jamie Sams for a little while.

It was not a planned stop, and I wasn’t there to work; it was a perfect place to just hang out and press pause.

~Melissa